One of the many unsavoury necessities of human existence is the relatively regular removal of earwax. While many of us know by now that digging for gold with cotton buds is a massive no-no among ear care specialists, it’s difficult to know where to start when it comes to the safe removal of the pesky, naturally-occurring substance.
What exactly is earwax and what does it do?
Medically referred to as cerumen, earwax is a substance that is secreted in the ear canals of humans and many other mammals. In a similar manner to mucus, glands in your ear canals produce earwax to protect the skin inside the ears and protect against harmful germs.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, earwax also provides a waterproof lining for your ear canal, carries dead skin cells and debris out of the eras, traps dirt and dust, prevents ears from dying out and protects against bacterial and fungal infection.
Is excessive earwax normal?
It may surprise you to learn that our ears are self-cleaning, and many doctors suggest leaving earwax alone unless it’s causing discomfort or additional health concerns.
While most humans produce a significant amount of earwax, too much of it can result in painful blockages. Symptoms of impacted earwax include earache, itchiness tinnitus, dizziness, partial hearing loss, and a general feeling of fullness in the ear.
What is the safest way to remove excess earwax?
The absolute best way to remove excess earwax is by calling up your healthcare provider and arranging professional removal. This is called ear syringing, and it works with an electric pump which gently flushes warm water through the ear canal to loosen and remove earwax. Patients must soften earwax a few days before the procedure with olive oil drops, so that the blockages can be dislodged effectively.
If you’re in the market for an over-the-counter solution, avoid potentially harmful tools such as cotton buds and ear candling kits which may damage the ear canal.
We’ve rounded up a selection of safe, over-the-counter earwax cleaners to improve your hearing and provide some relief.
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Otex Express Combi Pack
A classic, clinically proven and safe means to remove excess earwax, the Otex Express Combi Pack offers a simple and effective solution. Though it takes three to four days to see results, it’s certainly worth the wait.
Simply squeeze up to five drops of the earwax dispersal solution into the ear with your head tilted and leave it for a few minutes before sitting upright and wiping away the excess. Repeat this process once or twice daily for three to four days before filling the bulb syringe with warm water and cleansing the ear canal, allowing the water to rinse away newly dislodged wax.
Buy now £7.25, Amazon
NeilMed SuavEar Earwax Removal Aid - Carbamide Peroxide 6.5%
NeilMed’s speedy, two-step solution to earwax impaction doesn’t require a three to four-day prep period but should be used with caution and infrequently.
To use, simply tilt your head sideways and place five to ten drops of the clear canal carbamide peroxide into one or both affected ears. Then, plug your ears with the provided buds and leave the solution to sit for 10 minutes. Afterwards, attach the special drainage collection cup to the included bulb syringe and flush away the solution alongside all that pesky excess earwax.
Buy now £10.99, Boots
Earol | Olive Oil Ear Wax Removal Spray
For instant relief from that uncomfortable feeling of fullness in the ear, look no further than Earol. Whether you suffer from excess wet or dry wax, Earol gently softens earwax and encourages its removal without the need for syringing. It also helps to instantly soothe itchy ears and prevent the need for professional intervention.
Suitable from as young as one years old, it’s made using pharmaceutical grade olive oil and is offered in handy metred doses thanks to the spray nozzle.
Buy now £9.25, Amazon
Boots Dual Action Ear Wax Remover - 12ml
This value-for-money, dual-action ear wax remover softens ear wax and encourages its removal while helping to prevent excess build-up. Simply place a few drops in the ear canal and leave in for a few minutes while massaging the ear before rinsing with warm water.
Buy now £3.99, Boots
Electric Ear Wax Removal Irrigation Cleaner by NanaCare UK
While we would recommend consulting a professional before trying at-home irrigation, this innovative syringing kit has rave reviews. The electronic device comes with a built-in 400ml clean water tank and a 400ml dirty water tank, which slowly fills as you continually flush the wax from your ears.
NanaCare recommends using the included olive oil drops to soften ear wax for at least two days before using the irrigation system. Be sure to only use the included cotton buds for cleaning away excess wax on the outer part of your ear and never place them directly inside your ear canal.
Buy now £48.99, Amazon
EarFairy Ear Wax Removal Kit
Another controversial auricular tool that we’d recommend consulting your healthcare provider before using, the EarFairy offers a bizarre insight into the goings-on of your ear canal. Using an impressive 1080P HD camera, six LEDs, a six-axis gyroscope and a 360-degree wide-angle lens, the EarFairy shows highly detailed images of the inside of your ear through Wi-Fi connectivity.
The device comes with four different kinds of earwax cleaning tools which are made from soft, flexible high-quality silicone which won’t scratch the ear canal. As always, we’d recommend softening earwax with olive oil drops before use.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Audiclean Ear Cleansing Wash 115ml
Suitable from age six months and up, this is a brilliant tool to keep in the first aid kit on summer holidays spent by the pool. A safe alternative to cotton bud use, Audiclean gently cleanses the ear canal and disperses stubborn earwax, preventing additional build-up when used at least three times a week.
Buy now £10.99, Boots
